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RSS icon Comments on Bizarre Apologist Editorial in This Morning's Seattle Times

1

as far as i can tell, even a retard like me could do the job of a port commissioner. by the time we vote for these grandees again, everyone will have forgotten her transgressions. who are they beholden to?

Posted by maxsolomon | April 23, 2007 8:43 AM
2

@ 1 -

At least we can vote "these grandees" out, and vote in someone who might do a better job. Compare that to the Sound Transit governing structure. The County Executives get to appoint toadies to that board, and there never are contested elections for those seats. Don't like what ST is up to? Tough titties.

Posted by Betwixt | April 23, 2007 9:07 AM
3

@2,
Right, but that's part of the problem with the SeaTimes editorial. By asking for the apologies of Commissioners plural, they give the impression that reformer Alec Fisken, up for reelection this fall, should be voted out as well.

Posted by Josh Feit | April 23, 2007 9:14 AM
4

@2
interesting point, it's almost like Neu music type of drone

problem'apologies'impression'reelection'
plural'editorial'reformer'asking'

continue please.

Posted by June | April 23, 2007 9:21 AM
5

Once again, the Times takes advantage of the public's lack of knowledge and misconceptions about what goes on in the Port to advance their own agenda (in this case, saving Pat Davis).

For example, in their editorial, they cite some bizarre numbers on compensation for crane operators. This is odd, because the crane operators do not work for the Port of Seattle; they work for the Pacific Maritime Association, which is the representative of all of the private companies that operate in the Port. What these workers earn is outlined in the collective bargaining agreement between the union (ILWU) and the employers (which is on line). In this case, it's called a fucking pension, and it is not two weeks pay for every year served. It's not even a day's pay for every year.

Second, what warehouse jobs? Practically all of them went south.

To compare the Port CEO to blue collar workers is just plain nuts. The Times will sacrifice the truth to advance their own agenda. The Blethens have always hated longshoremen and their union, so rather talk about the danger on the job (a guy was killed last week; it got four paragraphs) they get to use people as fodder for their right wing bullshit.

Posted by someone whos been there | April 23, 2007 9:23 AM
6

How many times has Pat Davis been to Blethen's house for dinner, I wonder?

Posted by Fnarf | April 23, 2007 9:33 AM
7

Once again... if I had a SeaTimes subscription I'd cancel it.

Posted by monkey | April 23, 2007 9:34 AM
8

I wonder if this means I won't have to listen to Pat Davis welcoming me to the airport any longer?

Posted by Dave Coffman | April 23, 2007 10:14 AM
9

no, seriously Josh. who's that band? they came after Joy Division, after Bauhaus. oh yeah, a comic book was named after them. yeah, your absurd droning would be fourth-rate lyrics for them. 80s music is getting to be big with the teens these days. you know just how to write in a dumbed down fashion that appeals to them.

Posted by June | April 23, 2007 10:22 AM
10

There is always the risk a pissed-off public will throw the reformers out with the bathwater.

On the other hand, you've got two reform votes on the five-person board (Fisken, Hara) plus a swing vote (Creighton) who might just have had his eyes opened by this bizarre experience.

And the new CEO appears to be a highly qualified straight shooter who might play a lead role in de-worming the organization Mic built.

Posted by RonK, Seattle | April 23, 2007 10:24 AM
11

Good job on this one Josh. Voters can send a message by re-electing Alec Fisken and by voting for Jack Block Jr. or Gael Tarleton over Bob Edwards, who, you can bet, is on Davis' and Dinsmore's side.

Edwards should be forced to come clean about whether he approves the handout to Dinsmore. If he won't, the voters should remove him.

Posted by ivan | April 23, 2007 11:15 AM
12

Josh, whatever you may call the Davis-Dinsmore cash, it isn't "severance".

Severance pay is what goes to laid-off employees, to executives let go by their companies before the end of their employment contracts, to people who are RIFed when corporations merge or are bought out ... situations like that. Dinsmore retired. The stench wafting over the Port Commission is that of a golden parachute, akin to the odious piles of filthy lucre thrown at, say, Cheney (Halliburton) and McGavick (Safeco).

Posted by N in Seattle | April 23, 2007 11:22 AM
13

Don't they realize the Era of Big Dinsmore is over?

Posted by RonK, Seattle | April 23, 2007 11:38 AM
14

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15

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